Difficulties in endoscopic removal of large bile duct stones. Experience in last 5 years

Background: Large biliary duct stones are difficult to remove endoscopically. Disparity between the lenght of the sphincterotomy and the diameter of the stones mandates large stones to be fragmented before removal to achieve biliary duct clearence. The aim of this study was to determinate the predictors of success or failure of mechanical lithotripsy in patients with large biliary duct stones. Methods: A retrospective study was performed in a 5-year period. 118 consecutive patients with large bile duct stones underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiography, sphyncterotomy, mechanical lithotripsy and basket remov…